By Wayne Laepple
Staff Reporter
April 15, 2008 07:39 am
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Slightly more than 2,000 voters shifted their allegiance in Union County, and a slight decline in total voter numbers — from 19,986 to 19,808 — was also seen. Democratic registrations increased by 934 voters, while the Republican side saw a decline of 647.
Some of the Democratic gain may have been independent voters who signed on as Democrats, as 465 fewer folks claimed independent status in 2008.
Despite the hoopla about Republicans forsaking their party and new voters signing up as Democrats, such migrations in the Valley have not changed the balance of power.
In the four-county region, the Democrats added just 1 percent to their overall numbers compared to 2004 registrations, and the Republicans lost 1.7 percent of theirs. Republicans still hold a substantial edge in total registration in the Valley, with 55,087 registered voters (52 percent) to the Democrats 40,453 (38 percent).
Rick Thomas, Union County Democratic Party chairman, thinks some of the surge in Democratic registrations in his area may have been Bucknell University students, but he’s also talked with independent voters who changed their registrations as well.
“Some I’ve talked to switched to one of the parties or the other,” he said. “And I’ve talked to some people who were just fed up being Republicans.”
“We’ll be hitting voter registration hard again this summer,” he said. “Slowly, we’re turning the numbers our way.”
Snyder County also showed a substantial increase in registered Democrats, from 4,588 in 2004 to 5,426 today, a net gain of 838. Even so, Republicans still hold a 3 to 1 edge over the Democrats, with 13,545 registered, including 694 new members. Independents in Snyder County declined by 316.
Mark Harris, Republican Party chairman in Snyder County, said he was pleased with the increase in Republican registrations.
“I feel pretty good about those numbers,” he said. “With the news of the economy and the war, we’re satisfied.”
Harris said the party will increase its efforts to sway voters after the primary election next week.
“I’m comfortable with our candidate,” he said. I truly believe he’s the right candidate for these times.”
Montour County’s Democratic rolls picked up 637 new members to reach a total of 4,861. Republicans gained just 263 new voters, but still hold an edge with 5,817 to the Democrats 4,861. In addition 263 folks declared their independence.
Northumberland County, with all but 50 percent of the voters in the region, has the most closely matched parties, with 46 percent Republicans and 45 percent Democrats. That’s 23,669 Democrats and 24,530 Republicans. The county gained 444 new Democrats, lost 111 Republicans and added 694 independents.
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